The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 344

However, the moment he reached for Marvin’s hand, there was a loud *crash*. The mug Marvin was holding slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor, fragments scattering everywhere.

Everyone froze in shock, staring at the mess. Only Neville’s eyes flickered with a shadowy, unreadable glint.

Finally snapping out of his daze, Marvin immediately began apologizing. His voice trembled, and his eyes brimmed with tears. “Keen, I’m so sorry—it’s all my fault, I was so clumsy…”

Keen stared at the broken pieces of the mug he’d made himself, fury rising fast in his chest.

He lost all control, jabbing an accusing finger at Marvin.

“You did it on purpose! You smashed the birthday present I made for Mom—on purpose!”

It hadn’t been easy, not at all. He’d spent countless hours in the workshop, failing again and again, until finally, he’d managed to make this one perfect mug, every detail just right.

And now, in an instant, all his hard work was ruined.

Keen felt like his heart was breaking.

Marvin just looked helpless and stricken. “I swear I didn’t, Keen—you’ve got it wrong…”

Tears welled in Marvin’s eyes. “Keen, I really am sorry.”

He crouched down, small and miserable, and began picking up the shards.

“Ow!” A sharp piece sliced his finger; fresh blood welled from the cut.

“Marvin!” Stella’s face changed at once. She rushed to scoop him up, concern etched deep on her features.

Head bowed in shame, Marvin barely whispered, “Stella, I’m sorry. I broke the mug Keen made for your birthday.”

“My birthday was ages ago,” Stella said as she examined Marvin’s bleeding hand. “It’s just a mug. If it’s broken, it’s broken.”

Keen’s eyes went wide with shock, disbelief flickering across his face.

Every gift he’d ever given his mother—whether a scrap of candy or a crayon drawing—she’d treasured it. He still remembered the time his aunt had eaten a piece of candy he’d given his mother; gentle as she was, it was the first time she’d ever looked genuinely upset.